Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego recently released guidance outlining their efforts to reopen recruit training graduations for a limited number of guests. The first graduation to allow guests to attend will be for Charlie Company and will take place on April 22, 2021.
As people all around the country receive COVID vaccinations, the commands responsible for training the recruits and trainees of America’s Armed Forces are likewise looking ahead toward a return to some semblance of pre-pandemic normalcy. For the families and friends of these recruits and trainees, that means once again having the opportunity to attend their boot camp graduations. MCRD San Diego is among the first, opening their graduation ceremonies up for two guests of each graduating recruit.
In order to attend graduation, you must receive your entry tickets in the mail and you’ll be given the opportunity to confirm your intent to attend graduation via a telephone call on Training Day 54 of the recruit’s training cycle. From there, each guest must register on the Eventbrite website listed on their ticket. Guests will also need to present that ticket at the gate of MCRD San Diego on graduation today in order to come aboard the installation.
“Each guest will arrive at Gate 5 of MCRD San Diego (W Washington St & Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92110, Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92110), and present their original entry ticket during a vehicle search,” An MCRD San Diego press release reads.
“Guests may begin arriving at 6:30 a.m., and will enter search lanes that correspond with the LAST NAME of their graduating Marine. Guests must have a temperature below 100 degrees F to enter the installation. Facial coverings will be mandatory while on the installation, and strict social distancing will be expected.”
After the ceremony, recruits will be allowed to spend time with their families on base until 1700 local time. Graduating recruits will be able to take their families to the command Museum, food sales, and retail sales establishments on base, provided they are not at maximum capacity under ongoing COVID restrictions.
All guests will be expected to depart the installation by 17:30 (or 5:30 p.m.).
Despite the limited reopening of graduation, new Marines who graduate from recruit training will still be required to travel directly to their next appointed place of duty without any leave.
Importantly, the command element of MCRD San Diego requests that anyone who feels ill, believes they might be sick, or who has recently been exposed to others infected with COVID-19 not attend these ceremonies.
Honor courage commiment these are the standards that as a Marine I have lived. Once a Marine ALWAYS a Marine.